Into the Lion's Den - Part 2

Series Title: Star Trek—The Continuing Voyages of the Enterprise

Into The Lion’s Den

By ginamr

Part Two

Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Only new characters and the new plots are mine. The original characters belong to Paramount. I receive no monetary reward for my work; my only reward is the joy of creating.

Possible spoilers: Broken Bow through Into The Lion’s Den, Part One

Author’s Note: the ‘ ’ are sign language translated or are mouthing. And just so you folks know (because there’s been some confusion), you need to read Conflict Eminent and Into The Lion’s Den, Part One before you read this or you won’t know some of the new characters that have been introduced and you might get confused.

Further, the appearance of the Romulans and Enterprise's contact with them in “Minefield” shattered any continuity for the Trek universe as far as the Earth-Romulan War goes. I know you can’t just rewrite Trek history…so this is going to be the Earth-Romulan War on an alternate timeline. I can’t think of any other way to make this fit into the continuity.

So on this timeline, Starfleet has audio contact only with the Romulans, but doesn’t meet them face-to-face until the end of the war. The audio communications are scratchy and what is said is only rough translation. Also, Starfleet isn’t supposed to be calling them Romulans yet, but on this timeline, the Vulcans have divulged about their ancestors and have given Starfleet the information in order to fight the war.

And last but not least are the sudden jumps in technology by our Romulan friends. I’m going to bring in another race that supposedly Starfleet doesn’t encounter full force until later. Remember, this is all on a different timeline than what the future Treks say.

************************************************************

Last time on Star Trek: Enterprise… Into The Lion’s Den, Part One

Part Two

The room was dark and cold as Kestra sat huddled in the corner. She didn’t know how long she’d been captive, but she estimated it had only been one day as they had only given her two meals.

A man had come in earlier, obscured by darkness, and had tried to coerce information out of her. What kind of information the man wanted hadn’t been clear at the time. She wasn’t even sure why they’d taken her captive in the first place. What did they hope to achieve? Of course, she was the head of the Betazed ruling counsel, but what information would her position of authority give her that would be crucial to them?

She knew not what the Romulan’s words had meant; but they had been so harsh that it gave her the notion they meant to torture her until they achieved their ends. She only prayed help found her before achieving their ends constituted her imminent death.

**********
Play Intro.
**********

Captain’s Starlog---October 28, 2155

We’ve had little luck tracking down the ship that we believe was responsible for the kidnapping of Kestra Grax. However, Commanders Tucker and T’Pol believe examining the sensor logs from the incident will give us a great deal of insight into her kidnapping.

**********

Archer’s Ready Room, 1400 Hours

“What do you have so far?” Archer asked.

“It looks as though they’ve made further modifications to their engines.”

Archer frowned. “What kind of modifications?”

“Whatever they did, it changed their warp signature. It’s like they installed a completely different engine.”

“How is that possible?”

Trip sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’ know, Cap’n. It shouldn’ be possible. Either they’re very advanced, or a very advanced culture is helping them. But that still doesn’ explain how they’re making these upgrades so fast. The upgrades should still take at least a couple of months between installation and testing.”

“The Romulans are not any more advanced than Earth. Clearly, another race is providing them with this technology.”

“Then the million-dollar questions are whose providing them with the technology and how is it being installed so quickly?”

Archer nodded. “Do you have any idea who could be providing the Romulans with this technology?”

“The only races that we have encountered with even near this level of technology are the Suliban and the Sphere Builders,” T’Pol added.

“From the sounds of things, whoever it is doesn’ want an alliance anymore than the Romulans do.”

T’Pol raised an eyebrow. “The Suliban have attempted to destroy Enterprise on two occasions and have taken you captive thrice, Captain.”

“I don’ think it was the Suliban. It was more likely the Sphere Builders.”

Archer frowned. “But they can’t exist in our dimension.”

“I do not believe that even the Sphere Builders have achieved this level of technology,” T’Pol replied.

“If not the Sphere Builders, then who? Could we be dealing with a new species here?”

“It is possible. However, we will not be able to determine much about them.”

“Their technology---the details of it, anyway---didn’ show up on sensors. I’m guessin’ they created some kind of subspace interference to stop us from gettin’ scans and targeting’ their weakness. So we’ll need ta calibrate the sensors so that they can get through the interference .”

Archer nodded. “Will we be able to track them down?”

“It shouldn’ be a problem. The particles stick out like a sore thumb.”

“Inform the other ships and have Travis follow the warp trail.”

T’Pol nodded. “Yes, sir.”

With this, Trip and T’Pol exited the ready room, leaving Archer to ponder why the Romulans would have taken Kestra Grax.

**********

Block B, Cell 28--- Current Romulan Homeworld

“Let me get this straight. You want me to convince my people that an alliance with the very species that attacked us is what is best for everyone?”

The Romulan smirked. “Yes. You see? I knew you were more intelligent than you were making yourself out to be.”

“What makes you think I would EVER do anything of the sort?” she snarled.

“If you want to leave here alive, you will do as I say.”

Kestra snorted. “You need me. You wouldn’t kill me.”

The Romulan’s eyebrows shot up. “No? I’m sure they would find someone to replace you. Why would they want to be ruled by a child at any rate?”

“I’m not a child! I’m 40 years old!”

“In my culture, 40 is quite young.”

Kestra glared at him. “Enough of your games. I will not be toyed with!”

“Then we shall try again tomorrow.”

With this, the man exited the room and slammed the door, the noise echoing loudly in the cold, empty room. Kestra shrunk back against the wall once again, hugging her knees to her chest.

**********

Captain’s Log---October 29th, 2155

Commanders Tucker and T’Pol have managed to readjust the scanners to cut through the subspace interference on the frequency the Romulans used when they kidnapped Kestra Grax. Trip is confident that even if the Romulans use a different frequency this time, we should be able to adjust them to any frequency with only a little bit of fine-tuning. We’ve been following the warp trail the Romulans left behind, though they might have picked up on the fact that they were leaving a trail too late after disappearing. The trail is beginning to disappear at random spots as well as seemingly double back. Fortunately, Trip has been able to determine that we’re still on the right track and is attempting to find another way to trace the particles.

**********

Command Center, 1100 hours

“The particles leave behind an energy signature that a normal sensor scan wouldn’ pick up. But with the modifications we’ve made ta the sensors, we should be able ta follow that energy signature even after the particles aren’ visible ta the sensors.”

Archer nodded. “Good work.” He paused. “Any theories on why the Romulans would want to kidnap her in the first place?”

Trip shook his head. “It’s as much of a mystery ta me as it is ta you, Cap’n.”

“Perhaps the Romulans see Betazed’s participation in the talks as a threat to their plans. It is quite possible that if the Sphere Builders have found a way to meddle in the timeline again, the Romulans have conceivably been told that Kestra Grax’s disappearance will cause discord between Earth and Betazed, thus ending the threats of an alliance.”

“Well, I’ll be damned if I’m going to let a kidnapping destroy the chance of an alliance. We need to find her before they hear that she’s been kidnapped.”

“We’re gettin’ close. We should have a better idea in four or so hours.”

Bridge to Captain Archer

Archer moved toward the comm, pressing the button. Archer.

We have several ships on sensors, sir. They’re Romulan.

Archer frowned. On my way. Archer out.

**********
Bridge, A Few Moments Later…

Archer arrived on the bridge and moved toward the Command Chair, T’Pol moving to her station, both stumbling as the bridge lulled from side to side, occasionally lurching sharply. “Report?”

“They came out of nowhere, sir, and started firing on us.”

“Do we have weapons, Mr. Reed?”

Reed shook his head. “Barely, sir. Aft canons are down as well as one of the forward canons.”

“Give them everything we’ve got.”

“Captain, the ships appear to be…repairing themselves.”

Archer’s eyebrows shot up. “Repairing themselves?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Captain,” T’Pol began. “I believe a low-yield burst of concentrated energy could disable their ships.”

Archer nodded. “Do it.”

Silence filled the bridge for a few moments. “It worked, sir,” Reed reported. “We’ve disabled their weapons and their warp capabilities. It should take them a couple of hours to repair.”

Hoshi frowned. “Sir, we’re being hailed. Audio only.”

“Put it through.” Hoshi nodded, acknowledging the connection. “This is Captain Jonathan Archer of the Earthship Enterprise. I believe you’re holding a friend of ours captive.”

“She is not on board our ships, Human. You have wasted your time in pursuing us.”

“Maybe not. According to our sensors, we’re only two hours’ journey from your homeworld at Warp three.”

“You know nothing!”

Hoshi gave an exasperated sigh. “He’s cut the connection, sir.”

“See if you can get him back.” He turned to Reed. “Options, Lieutenant?”
“If we try to board their ship and take them captive, I have the feeling that they’ll destroy their ship before they’ll let us take it over. Their shields are down; so we could try the transporter, but I don’t know if it would reconstruct their molecules correctly.”

Archer paused. “Try, Lieutenant. Ask Doctor Phlox to help you modify the transporter to recognize the Romulan biopatterns based on Vulcan physiology.”

“Captain, I believe I may be of assistance as well.”

Archer nodded. “Have Trip work with you.”

She nodded and left the bridge just as Archer called down to Engineering to have Trip meet the others in the transporter room.

“Already on my way, Cap’n. Tucker out.”

**********

A Hour Later…

“Any luck?”

Trip looked up at Archer and frowned. “Nothin’, Cap’n. They must have some way to prevent themselves from being transported.”

Bridge to Archer.

Archer.

Sir, the Romulan vessels have activated their engines.

Archer frowned. I thought we’d disabled their engines.

We did, sir. It seems they’ve repaired them.

Have Travis lay in a pursuit course and match their speed.

Aye, sir.

Suddenly, the ship shook twice violently.

Archer to Bridge. Report.

Weapons and warp engines are down, sir. It’s almost like they knew exactly where to aim to take them out all at once.

Archer sighed. I’m on my way, Lieutenant.

“They’ve probably been sittin’ there takin’ scans of us while we’ve been tryin’ ta rig a way ta get them onboard,” Trip muttered.

“I have no doubt.” With this, Archer exited heading toward the lift.

Trip frowned in dismay. Thinking about Kestra’s kidnapping was reawakening some of the old big brother instincts within him. Kestra’s fate, if she wasn’t saved, was death, given over to it by greed and survival of the ruthless. Lizzie had died at the hands of the Xindi just because she had happened to be in the path of their doomsday weapon. Elizabeth had died because of Paxton’s thirst for power as well as his supremacy complex.

He hadn’t known Kestra all that long; but something in her face, the way she laughed, her carefree attitude, her seeming innocence, and her brilliance reminded him of his sister, whose life had been brought to a halt far too soon.

He felt the thirst for vengeance singing through his veins once again and he knew that though he couldn’t change Lizzie’s fate, he could change Kestra’s.

**********

Bridge, A Few Moments Later…

“Any sign of them?”

Reed shook his head. “No, sir. But we have isolated their weapons frequency through detailed sensor scans…the one they’re using at the moment, anyway.”

Archer nodded. “Good work, Lieutenant.” He turned to Mayweather. “Travis, continue on our heading, maximum impulse.”

“Aye, sir.”

“I’ll be in my ready room.” With this, Archer left the bridge.

**********

Archer’s Ready Room, A Few Hours Later…

Archer looked up when he heard the chime. “Enter.”

Trip stepped through the doors with T’Pol, both holding padds. “Captain, we have reached the coordinates of the Romulan homeworld,” T’Pol said, she and Trip handing him the padds that they held.

“We’ve been workin’ with Malcolm on a rescue operation and we think we can get her out of there.”

Archer skimmed the information on the padds and nodded. “What information have you gotten on what we’ll be facing?”

T’Pol paused. “Our sensors have discovered that the Romulans abandoned this planet long ago.” She continued when Archer frowned. “However, they still use its compounds to house prisoners of war. It is logical that Kestra Grax would be transported and held here.”

“The compound is run by hired hands, Cap’n. Looks like the Romulans have other people ta do the tough jobs fer them.” Trip pointed to a location on a map that one of the padds was currently displaying. “We should be able ta get in here, but we’re goin’ ta need somethin’ ta distract the guards.”

Archer paused. “Did you have anything specific in mind?”

“Well, a fight amongst the prisoners should distract them long enough fer us ta slip past.”

Archer nodded. “Has Malcolm got a team together?”

“Yes, sir,” Trip confirmed. “I asked him ta count me in.”

Archer looked up, slightly surprised at his friend’s decision to be a part of the rescue party. “You’re sure? This is going to be dangerous, Trip. This isn’t a game of cowboys and Indians.”

Trip nodded. “Yes, sir. I know. I jus’…This is personal.”

Archer’s brow furrowed as he regarded his best friend. “Be careful, Trip.”

“I will, Cap’n.” With this, Trip and T’Pol exited the ready room.

**********

Armory, A Few Moments Later…

“Lieutenant,” Archer greeted.

Reed inclined his head. “Sir. May I assume that you wish to join the rescue party?”

Archer grinned. “You read my mind, Lieutenant.”

“No, sir…I just know you all too well,” Reed replied, smirking and offering Archer a phase pistol.

“Is everyone ready to go?”

“Aye, sir. We’re just waiting for Commander Tucker.”

At that precise moment, Trip entered the Armory dressed in Starfleet camouflage gear, like the others. The sight would have been rather clichéd were it not for the uncharacteristically serious look crossing his face.

Archer’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, wondering where this new Trip had come from.

“I didn’ know ya were comin’, Cap’n.”

Archer grinned. “You should know by now that I don’t like being left behind.”

Trip nodded. “Yeah, I shoulda figured.”

Archer paused. “Trip, what’s going on?”

Trip seemed to pause for a moment before replying, “I’m doin’ what I wasn’ there ta do fer Lizzie and what I couldn’ do fer Elizabeth. I’m goin’ ta make sure that Kestra doesn’ die jus’ because those power-hungry sonuvabitches can’ stand ta have anyone tread on their turf.”

Archer sensed more differences than just the air of seriousness about Trip. Something about Kestra’s situation was making Trip vulnerable. He could see the hurt and fear in his friend’s eyes, and was surprised to see it so plainly. Trip had become extremely emotionally withdrawn since his sister’s death, but now it was almost as though he were seeing a glimmer of the old Trip.

He stood speechless, unsure of just how to respond to Trip’s behavior. He settled for a nod and a hand gripping his friend’s shoulder tightly in support.

A faint smile crossed Trip’s lips as he acknowledged his friend’s support, knowing that he would need it in order to think clearly about what he needed to do to get Kestra back on board Enterprise.

“All right, men. Let’s move.” With this, the team made their way toward the Launch Bay.

**********
Planetside---Former Romulan homeworld, An Hour Later…

They stood just outside the entrance gates to the compound, hiding in a rather large bush, going over their rescue plan again.

“And then we exit this way,” Reed said pointing to a back-door. “Everyone got it?”

They all nodded. “Now ta figure out how ta start a fight without gettin’ seen,” Trip muttered.

He stared at the ground, trying to think. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pile of stones. Suddenly, he had an idea. He picked up one of the stones and poked his head around the corner, looking for the toughest guy he could find.

The others watched, confused.

At last, he found him. The man was Klingon and about seven feet tall. He drew back and threw the stone as hard as he could, hitting the Klingon in the back of the head and ducked quickly back behind the wall.

“Bloody hell, Trip! Have you lost your bleedin’ mind?” Malcolm whispered harshly.

They heard a shout in what Trip assumed was Klingon and Trip peaked around the wall to see the Klingon shoving a man who appeared to be Suliban. The Suliban hissed in his native tongue and pushed right back. The Klingon rushed forward, his hands grasping the man’s neck. Some of the others watching raced to help one or the other while the rest cheered them on.

It was only after the fight had started to get unstoppably out of control that the guards came forward with weapons to break it up only to end up in the fight themselves.

“They’re busy,” Trip whispered. “Let’s go.”

With this, they slipped in and moved along the walls. Fortunately, they went unnoticed by the on-lookers who were too involved in their cheers to notice anyone on the fringe.

The doors were generally locked, but there were some that weren’t. The guards that they came across they were able to take down with little force before those guards alerted the rest of the compound to their presence.

After having opened dozens of doors, Trip was beginning to fear that they wouldn’t find her in time. Praying to any and all gods, he opened the next unlocked door. He saw a young woman flinch in a corner and rushed toward her. Getting a better look at her, he realized it was Kestra.

“It’s me…Trip,” he said softly.

“T-Trip?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Don’ ya remember me?”

Kestra burst into tears and threw herself at him, hugging him tightly. “I was so afraid I would never see you again!”

He hugged her back, rocking her in his arms. “It’s okay, darlin’. It’s okay. I’m here now. It’s over.”

The others burst into the room and stopped dead when they saw Trip holding Kestra and comforting her.

“We need ta get moving before the guards realize we’re here.” He turned to Kestra. “Can ya walk?”

“I…I don’t know. My legs…I can’t feel them.”

Trip’s features contorted slightly and he lifted her into his arms, carrying her like a small child. “All right, let’s move.”

The group was just about to leave the room when the door closed and locked. Trip squatted down, balancing Kestra on his knees, holding a flashlight up and using his free hand to tear the cover off the panel. He examined the wires.

“Damn. Motion sensors. Whenever someone gets near the door from the inside, it shuts it and locks it.”

“That explains why the door was always unlocked,” Kestra muttered.

Archer frowned. “Can you rewire it?”

Trip pulled a portable screwdriver and a pair of wirecutters from a hidden pocket in his jacket. “I can try.”

Archer nodded. “Do the best that you can.” He then pulled out a communicator. Archer to Enterprise.

T’Pol.

T’Pol, we’ve run into a snag. If we don’t contact you again in ten minutes, get out of the sector.

There was a slight pause on the other end before T’Pol replied Yes, sir.

“Here, darlin’. Hold this fer a second,” he said handing Kestra the pair of wirecutters. “And hold this flashlight fer me.” She took the flashlight, holding it so it lit up the panel.

He looked carefully at the circuit panel, squinting to read the numbers on the resistors. He held out his hand for the wirecutters and when they were handed to him, he used them to disconnect the 10K ohm resistor from the jumper. Sparks flew up, causing Trip to fall backwards, taking Kestra with him.

“Ya all right?” Trip asked.

She nodded. “What happened?”

“I guess they have it hooked up ta some kind of outside power source.”

Reed rattled the door handle. “It’s still locked.”

“Yeah, I need ta cut one more wire.”

“What if you cut the wrong one?”

Trip sighed. “It’s a chance we’ll have ta take. Everybody stand back. Hold the light a little higher, Kestra, darlin’.”

He knelt before the panel again, the wirecutters ready in his hands. He looked back at the others, giving them a half grin before his attention returned to the panel. He drew in a deep breath, sliding the cutters to what he hoped was the right wire and counting softly to three before cutting the wire.

He braced himself for another shower of sparks, but none came. He opened his eyes and released a sigh of relief.
“The door’s unlocked,” Reed said, opening the door. He peaked his head out and looked around to make sure that no one was coming. “The coast is clear.”

Trip lifted Kestra into his arms once again and the group moved out. Just as they were rounding a corner, a weapon’s blast impacted the metal beam right next to Trip’s head. They pulled back around the corner and leaned against the walls behind the metal beams.

“We have four minutes, sir.”

Trip sat Kestra down, leaning her against the wall and paused for a moment, listening. He then brought the weapon to ready and swung around the corner, firing and hitting one of the guards coming at them before returning to the safety behind the metal beam.

“I say if we’re goin’ down, let’s go down fightin’.”

The others followed Trip’s lead, shots occasionally hitting and occasionally missing their targets until there were no more guards coming. They were just about ready to move toward the exit when a guard attacked Trip from behind.

He struggled for a few moments before driving his foot back into the man’s knee and flipping him over his shoulder with a heaving grunt. He rushed forward to pick up Kestra, ignoring the looks of shock on the others’ faces and raced toward the exit. The others soon followed, occasionally firing shots off at approaching guards.

By the time they had reached the shuttlepod, they were ducking shots. Trip bolted inside, hurriedly strapping Kestra into one of the seats and jumping into the helm seat at the front, his fingers grazing the controls as Reed and Archer closed the shuttlepod doors. The other two crewmen took their seats at the back of the pod while Archer and Reed rushed forward to claim the remaining two.

Outside, they could hear the shots reverberating off the hull.

Archer to Enterprise.

A moment later, T’Pol responded, sounding far less tense. T’Pol.

We’re on our way back, but we might have a couple assailants on our tail.

Understood. We’ll prepare for your arrival and the arrival of any enemy ships. T’Pol out.

“Was it just me or did Commander T’Pol sound relieved?”

“She thought we wouldn’ make it,” Trip replied. “We did cut tha’ ten minutes awful close.” The shuttlepod rattled violently. “We’ve got two enemy ships ten degrees ta port closin’ in.” Again, the ship shook. “We’re losin’ warp, but we’re clearin’ the atmosphere. Closin’ in on the Launch Bay. Everyone hang on. This is goin’ ta get bumpy.”

The little vessel shook as it ascended into the Launch Bay, barely making it in intact.

The craft doors opened instantly and Trip bolted from them, carrying Kestra.

All officers and crew to their posts. I repeat, all officers and crew to their posts.

“I’ll drop her off on my way to Engineerin’.” With this, Trip was gone.

Archer nodded and Reed followed him, both headed toward the bridge.

**********

Bridge, Several Moments Later…

“Report!”

“Aft canons are down, sir!”

“Travis, get us out of here!” Archer shouted.

Travis frowned. “I can’t, sir! Helm isn’t responding.”

A tense silence fell over the bridge before they became aware of a proximity alarm beeping.

“Captain, sensors are picking up two ships on an intercept course. They’re assuming attack posture. They’re…they’re Andorian, sir. And there’s a Vulcan ship behind them.”

Archer let out a relieved sigh. “Mr. Reed, target the lead Romulan ship and give her all we’ve got.”

“Aye, sir.”

Within moments, the ship’s rattling halted and the calm of the bridge was restored.

“They’re retreating.”

Archer nodded. “T’Pol, you have the bridge. I’m going to Sickbay to check on Ms. Grax.”

With this, Archer entered the lift with Travis slipping in behind him. “Is she all right?” he asked.

“She was slightly shaken when Trip took her to Sickbay, but other than that she seemed fine.”

Travis breathed a sigh of relief. “I’d like to speak with her, sir…if it’s all right with Phlox.”

Archer nodded. “You can ask him.”

**********

Sickbay, Several Moments Later…

“I’m fine, Trip. Really.”

Trip frowned. “Ya sure don’ look it.”

She smiled faintly. “I’ve just been scared out of my mind is all. I’m fine.”

He sighed. “Yer sure?” She nodded. “All right, all right.”

She paused. “I remind you of your sister, Elizabeth.”

Trip froze and was silent for a moment. “Yeah, darlin’. Ya do.”

“Is that why you joined the rescue party?” Trip grimaced. “It is not something you normally do, Trip. I know you, remember?”

Again, he sighed. “Yeah, tha’ was part of the reason.”

“Then what was the other part?”

He grinned. “I guess I was gettin’ tired of not being able ta protect my friends and family.”

“You would do the same for T’Pol?”

Trip nodded. “In a heartbeat.”

She smiled. “Does she know that you love her?”

“I like ta think she does.”

“Then why are you not wed?”

He paused. “Things aren’ quite on our side righ’ now. Our relationship has ta be kept a secret fer jus’ a while longer. I still haven’ explained the whole thing ta the Cap’n.”

“Hello, Captain. Ensign. They’re right through here,” they heard Phlox say.

The curtains were then pulled back and Archer moved toward the bed, followed by Travis, who took Kestra’s hands in his and kissed her lips.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Kestra rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, I’m fine…as I’ve told Trip countless times.”

Travis frowned slightly and looked up to see Trip standing there. He was acting as though he hadn’t even realized Trip was in the same room.

“May I speak with Travis for a moment alone?” Kestra asked.

Archer and Trip nodded, giving the two their privacy. Trip sat down on the edge of one of the biobeds, rubbing his eyes.

“What aren’t you telling me, Trip?”

Trip looked up, slightly startled and realized that he must have heard the last bit of his conversation with Kestra.

He sighed. “I can’, Cap’n. Not now.”

“If it’s something that could endanger you or someone else…”

Trip rolled his eyes. “It’s nothin’ like that. It’s jus’…kinda personal. And I promised, Cap’n.”

Archer nodded. “So how is she?”

“She’s insisting she’s fine.”

“You don’t believe her?”

“Would you be?” Trip snapped.

Archer frowned. “Trip, she isn’t Lizzie.”

Trip buried his face in his hands. “I know, but I can’ help but think she is. She’s so much like her.” He pulled his hands away and Archer was surprised to see the tears in his friend’s eyes. “When I look at her, I see Lizzie.”

Archer paused before placing a comforting hand on Trip’s shoulder. “It’s all right, Trip.”

Trip wiped his eyes, avoiding Archer’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Cap’n. Gawd, this is embarrassing,” he said, laughing weakly.

There was a tense moment of silence between them.

Bridge to Captain Archer.

Archer moved toward the wall unit, pressing the button.

Archer.

There’s a communication for you, sir. It’s Admiral Greene.

Archer nodded. On my way.

He looked behind him one last time at Trip, smiling reassuringly before heading toward his ready room.

Fin (for now)

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Four of you have made comments

I like it . More is coming I hope time line AU or whatever it is a nice piece.
Lisa

ginamr, this story is improving, but I have a few suggestions. Kestra is an appealing character. As a matter of fact, she's PERFECT... too perfect. Have you ever heard of a "Mary Sue"? It's an original character dropped into a fanfic that everyone immediately loves and that can do no wrong. OC's need to have some faults. If they're too perfect, they become annoying, IMO.

Your "SuperTrip" is a nice change from "SuperArcher". I like to see Trip being the action hero. I would like to see more interaction between Trip and T'Pol, though. This is a TnT website, not a Trip/Kestra one. Him calling Kestra "darlin'", even in a brotherly way, rubbed me the wrong way. His dialect is spread a little thick, as well... makes him sound like a hick.

I know you're trying hard with the tech stuff. I have a really hard time with tech in my stories as well. This passage, IMO, could do with a bit more detail... "Captain,” T’Pol began. “I believe a low-yield burst of concentrated energy could disable their ships.” It lacks specificity... know what I mean? Don't be afraid to ask for help. A lot of the writers and readers on this site do a really good job with technobabble. Try RigilKent, John O., HtH, or pookha for starters.

Please don't take my comments the wrong way. You've taken on an ambitious project. I admire your courage. I'm just trying to help. We fanfic writers have to stick together. : )

In response to Distracted...

I'm not done developing Kestra's character yet ;) and I'm sorry that that one bit of the story bugged you. It seemed appropriate to me considering Trip's motivation. For anyone else that is irked by this, I'm sorry. I've started the next story and hope to have it out soon (maybe a couple to a few weeks).

There's no need for apologies, dear. I'm not offended. I'm just trying to point out ways that I think might make your story appeal to TnTers a bit more, since that's where you've chosen to post it. I'm looking forward to reading your next installment.